At the end of the corridor in Lianying’s home, past her room, was a storeroom stuffed with all kinds of odds and ends. The space was so efficiently packed that sometimes the door could only open a crack—
In fact, Lianying could barely squeeze in.
“Sister Lianying, are you looking for something?” Wuhua stood in the hallway, watching her rummage around inside.
“Yeah. But I don’t remember where I put it either.” Lianying was stacking one pile of cardboard boxes on top of another as she answered.
“Found it! …Huh? Why is it stuck?” Lianying used both hands to pull it out, like she was yanking a radish.
“Let me help.” Seeing this, Wuhua went in to help too. After clearing away the clutter piled on top, Wuhua thought it was just a storage box—
“Is this… a bathtub?” Wuhua looked it over in confusion. She confirmed it was a solid brown mahogany bathtub.
“Ah. I’ve hardly used it since I bought it. Thinking about it now, it’s such a waste.” Lianying tried lying flat inside, and there was more than enough space.
“Hmm… but, Sister Lianying. How are we going to move this thing over there?” Wuhua quickly understood her intention. She felt the thick, sturdy material—
With just the two of them, and her being only seven years old, they couldn’t even push it.
“Hehe. Leave it to me. Wuhua, go to the balcony and bring a bath towel over.” Lianying smiled confidently.
Wuhua had no choice but to obey. When she returned to the bathroom—
“Sister Lianying, you already… Huh?”
The separate bathtub sat quietly on one side of the bathroom. It instantly filled at least half of the spacious room.
“See? I told you it’d be fine.” Lianying flashed a peace sign at Wuhua, then quickly wiped it down with hot water and a towel until it looked brand new.
‘So she deliberately sent me away so she could use the Magical Girl’s Miracle Power.’
Wuhua didn’t dwell on it. She waited as the bathtub slowly filled. When the clear hot water began to spill over, the preparations for the bath were complete.
.
“I remember it being pretty comfortable. Just a pain to clean.” Lianying came over and naturally started taking off Wuhua’s clothes, until there was nothing left.
‘S—so it was for me this whole time?’
‘Lianying never warns me before stripping me down…’
Wuhua blushed shyly, covering her chest and lower abdomen. Then she sat down on a plastic stool nearby.
“So I wanted Xiaohua to try it too. Calling it a reward might be a bit much, though.” Lianying first rinsed Wuhua’s body with the showerhead.
Once her body temperature was about right, she took her hand, helped her step onto the stool, and then into the bathtub.
—
It was hard to describe that moment. The only word that came to Wuhua’s mind was “comfortable.”
When her body touched the hot water, she felt like a deflating balloon. The accumulated fatigue and exhaustion melted away as she lay in that enveloping cocoon. The warmth seeped through her skin, spreading to every corner.
The air was thick with steam, making it a little hard to breathe. Beside her was Lianying’s hazy figure and her soft voice. In that cozy, relaxing atmosphere, Wuhua gradually sank to the bottom of the bathtub—
Literally. She sank.
“X-Xiaohua?!” Lianying quickly pulled Wuhua up before she could choke. She gently patted her back.
“S-Sister Lianying. This bathtub is way too big for me.” Wuhua said dizzily.
Just sitting, the water reached her shoulders. If she lay down, she’d completely disappear underwater.
“Ah, sorry, Xiaohua. I didn’t even notice that. It’s fine for me.” Lianying scratched her head awkwardly.
“Hmm… I’ve got it!” Unwilling to give up, Lianying stood up with an idea. She turned her back to Wuhua.
“Sister Lianying?” Under Wuhua’s confused gaze, Lianying began to take off her own clothes.
“Eh, ehh.” Wuhua, as usual, turned her face away, occasionally stealing glances from the corner of her eye.
‘This is all to avoid exposing my identity, right.’
Normally, a seven-year-old girl wouldn’t feel shy or resistant about seeing her mother or sister’s body. But Wuhua couldn’t stay calm.
Lianying hung up her pajamas, then followed the same steps as before—wetting herself with hot water, then slowly lying down in the bathtub.
“Huh-ahhhh…” She let out an ecstatic sigh as she patted the side of the tub.
When Wuhua turned to look at her, she calmly explained:
“Come on, Xiaohua. I’ll hold you, so you won’t sink, right?”
…
…
“Drip drop drip drop drip drop.”
The bathroom was quiet enough to hear the sound of water droplets hitting the surface. And each other’s heartbeats and breaths.
With both girls inside, the bathtub was inevitably a bit cramped.
Wuhua and Lianying sat quietly like that, sharing each other’s warmth as the heat spread through their bodies, enjoying this rare time together.
Lianying was probably just enjoying the intimacy of snuggling close to Wuhua. As for Wuhua—
‘…I never thought I’d be taking a bath pressed up against a high school girl.’
Lianying leaned back against one side of the tub, her hands resting on the edges and a towel on her head. Wuhua sat in front of her, closer to the middle.
Even with the extra space, Lianying’s legs were still a little longer than Wuhua’s. And they would occasionally brush against Wuhua’s bottom.
.
“Hey, Xiaohua.” Lianying suddenly spoke. “Come to think of it, I’ve never asked you how you feel about all this.”
“You can ask now, Sister Lianying.” Wuhua wasn’t sure what she meant.
“Um… well. How should I put this?” The usually talkative and proactive Lianying was now hesitant.
Wuhua didn’t rush her. She waited quietly. After reorganizing her thoughts, Lianying spoke in a calm tone that felt almost unfamiliar:
“…Xiaohua has been at my place for a few days now. Strangely, I feel like time has slowed down. Since you came into my life, every single day has been fulfilling.”
“Even though my life still follows the same rhythm. Classes, school, eating, sleeping, shopping, resting. And hanging out with my friends… Now that I think about it, it’s unbelievable.”
“Your appearance gave me something to look forward to every day. It’s like ordering a package I’m excited about but hasn’t arrived yet. It makes me care, makes me anxious.”
“I look forward to finishing school early, to coming home early to see you. I look forward to going to the amusement park on the weekend. I look forward to every day I spend with you.”
As she finished, Lianying leaned forward, gently resting her head on Wuhua’s shoulder. Her expression was subtle.
“Xiaohua. Do you feel the same way? I mean… about me taking you into my home, making you family, and living together. Are you happy? Or unhappy?”
Even without seeing her face, Wuhua could hear the wavering and unease in her voice. The girl who was always so optimistic now felt strangely unfamiliar.
“But you probably don’t understand what I’m saying anyway. I’m so silly, talking to a child… Sorry, forget what I just said.”
Lianying didn’t insist on getting an answer from Wuhua. Maybe, to her, cherishing the present happiness was more important.
Just as she thought it was enough and was about to get up with Wuhua—
—
“Sister, thank you.” Wuhua couldn’t think of any other words to express what she felt. Her thoughts turned into simple words, whispered softly:
“I also feel that now, compared to being alone in the orphanage, I’m happier and more joyful. If it’s okay… I want to be with you in the future. Is that… not okay?”
“I’ll be good. I won’t cause you trouble. I’ll be a good kid and help you. I’ll be polite, and I hope to become friends with your friends.”
“If you find me annoying, if you don’t like me…”
Before Wuhua could finish, Lianying’s hands landed on her shoulders. Then, the two girls fell backward together.
‘T—touching!’
The soft sensation of her chest pressing against her back made Wuhua almost forget to breathe. Skin against skin, without any barrier. She tried to stay calm, until—
Lianying’s hand cupped Wuhua’s cheek, gently turning her face.
“?! “
Under Wuhua’s gradually widening eyes and instinctive breath-holding, she was held in Lianying’s arms like a nursing infant. The two full, soft mounds pressed without reservation against her cheeks.
“It’s me who should thank you, Wuhua—thank you for being willing to come to my side.”